Arena Careers

Purpose:

The New Jersey Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee (DACC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Entry-Level Researcher to assist NJ Assembly candidates in preparing for the endorsement process, conducting opposition research, and supporting campaign efforts. This position will be vital in managing the statewide endorsement process, completing questionnaires, and researching policy, donors, and local municipal issues. The role also involves assisting with debate prep and continuous policy research throughout the election cycle.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Endorsement Management:
• Coordinate the statewide endorsement process for Assembly candidates.
• Complete sample endorsement questionnaire answers to Assembly candidates.
• Maintain records of all endorsement activities and ensure all deadlines are met.
• Research and Analysis:
• Conduct comprehensive research on political opponents, including background information, voting records, policy positions, and public statements.
• Provide candidates with research-based recommendations for their endorsement preparation and media appearances.
• Perform ongoing research on policy, legislative issues, and local municipal matters to support candidates in developing robust policy platforms.
• Donor and Issue Research:
• Assist individual legislative campaigns in researching potential donors, including corporate and individual contributors, and provide analysis to support fundraising efforts.
• Debate Preparation and Support:
• Conduct research on opponent positions, common debate topics, and key issues likely to be raised to assist candidates with debate preparation.
• Prepare briefing materials to equip candidates with the facts and counterarguments for debates and public appearances.
• Social Media and Press Monitoring:
• Assist legislative campaigns in performing regular social media searches to stay updated on opponent activities and media mentions.
• Analyze press coverage to identify trends, opportunities, and potential challenges for candidates.
• Compile daily reports on key developments in local and statewide races.
• Election Cycle Support:
• Assist with campaign-related tasks throughout the election cycle, including opposition research, issue tracking, and data organization.
• Collaborate with campaign staff and the DACC team to ensure research efforts align with the overall campaign strategy.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong research, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Familiarity with New Jersey’s political landscape and a strong interest in politics and campaigning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite, and social media platforms.
• Attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous campaign experience or work in political research.
• Experience with donor research, social media monitoring tools, and research databases.
• Understanding of local New Jersey municipal issues and legislative processes.

Responsibilities:

This is a full-time, in-person position based in Edison, NJ. The position requires occasional travel within New Jersey and flexibility in work hours, especially during the height of the election cycle.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should email a resume and 2-3 references to Christina Gawler ([email protected]) with “DACC Caucus Researcher Application” in the subject line. Candidates scheduled for an interview will also be asked to send a writing sample before the interview.

The NJ Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.